Sherpa Group founder Ryan Coley is a unique therapist whose focus is working with students. His expertise is in assisting youth who are struggling with chemical dependencies and addictions. He also helps students work through depression, anxiety, self-injuring behaviors, and spiritual issues.
The primary objective of Ryan’s work is to establish successful long-term family interventions and stabilization, all while meeting each student where he or she is in the therapeutic process. He loves to help students launch successfully into life! Ryan utilizes a wide variety of approaches to assist his students in conquering their addictions and changing their lives for the better. His vision is to see each Sherpa student develop an individualized, step-by-step program tailored specifically to his or her unique needs and dreams.
Ryan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the state of Utah and North Carolina. When not working, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, hanging out in the mountains, skiing, playing golf or pick-up basketball, and vacationing anywhere with a beach!
Caitlin has over 16 years of experience as a clinician and clinical director working with parents, families, children, and young adults in private programming sectors and private practice outpatient therapy. As a therapist, Caitlin has been sought after for her direct, collaborative, and relational style. She combines psychological counseling skills through a multifaceted approach. Caitlin supports her clients in working through challenges stemming from anxiety, depression, family conflict, attachment issues, and difficulties that can arise with neurodivergent presentations.
Caitlin has extensive experience in guiding adolescents, young adults, and their families through the stages of healthy growth and appropriate boundaries that arise during this transitional phase of life. Caitlin’s approach guides clients to develop insight into their decision making and emotional growth. She seeks to bring out the best in others while challenging them to try something new.
When not working, Caitlin enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and dog going on adventures, listening to live music, and playing in the mountains.
Throughout his career, Dr. Whiting has served as Executive Director, Clinical Director, and therapist at Utah therapeutic boarding schools and therapeutic programs. He specializes in working with adolescents diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. He also has experience providing in-home family therapy.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Dr. Whiting is a devoted husband and father. He has been married to his wife since 1999 and they have four children with whom they enjoy camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and 4-wheeling.
Janna graduated with an MSW from the University of Utah in 2003 and earned her LCSW in 2006. After graduating she began working at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) in the “Staying off Substances” IOP program. There she ran groups for clients and families while doing individual assessments and counseling. After working at UNI, she worked at Center for Change (CFC) with adolescent and adult women with eating disorders. Many of her clients had a dual diagnosis, generally including substance abuse or addiction. She was in charge of developing and running the chemical dependency groups. She worked with clients in inpatient, residential, and outpatient programming.
Janna has spent the past 15 years working with adolescent boys and girls and young adults with addictions and various mental health and identity struggles. She has worked in all levels of care from acute care at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Unit, to residential care with adolescents and young adults with substance abuse and eating disorder addictions, to day-patient and IOP work, to out-patient work. Her passion is in working with teenagers and the emerging young adult population and she loves how empowered these young people are at this stage of life to create and follow through with changes. She follows a strength-based and positive psychology model in her work. Janna is passionate about working with the family alongside her clients to help create meaningful understanding and to help relationships grow.
Carl has been working with outdoor and residential therapeutic programs for over 30 years. After completing his degree, Carl supervised three school-based mental health programs in Hawaii. Carl moved back to Salt Lake City because of his love of the outdoors and for the opportunities in Utah to work in wilderness programs, complete psychological evaluations, and to conduct consultations.
Carl aims to create positive client outcomes by implementing evidence-based clinical practices. Critically, Carl ensures that the Sherpa clinical model is motivating and is built on the principles of positive psychology.
Away from work, Carl enjoys fly fishing, duck hunting, and being outdoors with his wife of over 20 years, his 3 children, and his grandchildren.
Clarissa earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Elementary Education from Huntington University in Indiana. She was a passionate and dedicated teacher for 9 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. During that season of life with her two young daughters, her passion and continued interest in health and wellness grew. She earned her 200-Hour Yoga Alliance RYS and began teaching yoga in the Salt Lake City Valley. Clarissa has also completed her Yoga Shred, TRX, TRX Yoga, and Spin certifications. She loves building community and confidence in her classes within the Salt Lake and Raleigh communities. She is also currently taking classes to become a certified Integrative Health Practitioner and Health Coach.
In her free time, she loves to spend time with her husband and her two daughters. She loves nature and all things outdoors.
David brings nearly 20 years of expertise in therapeutic programs, specializing in family systems work and understanding family dynamics. He obtained a Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia in 1997.
Throughout his career, David has made significant contributions in various roles within highly esteemed residential treatment centers. He has served as a primary therapist, Admissions Director, and Clinical Director, showcasing his versatility and leadership skills. David has remained dedicated to providing therapy to students and their families, focusing on healing and overcoming obstacles.
David channels his passion for helping others into parent coaching, therapy sessions, webinars, and group sessions. He is deeply committed to guiding families through their journey of connection and healing as a cohesive system.
Shailee discovered her passion for helping others while she worked in substance abuse treatment and at a residential treatment center for teenage girls. It was here that she developed a profound understanding of family dynamics and the transformative power of love and boundaries working in tandem.
After four years of invaluable experience in residential treatment, Shailee embarked on her journey to become a clinician, earning a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Utah Valley University. Her dedication to her craft led her to pursue a Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Utah, where she honed her skills and deepened her understanding of therapeutic techniques.
Shailee is trained in Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, allowing her to tailor her approach to meet the unique needs of each client. She firmly believes in the importance of the therapeutic relationship and utilizes it as a catalyst for growth and change.
With a natural gift for making others feel loved and understood, Shailee excels at connecting with her clients and earning their trust. She is particularly passionate about working with individuals and families struggling with issues such as self-esteem, substance use, trauma, depression, and anxiety.
With a dedication to innovation, client care, and excellent customer service, Katie has developed a deep understanding of the Sherpa Group which contributes to her insightful and practical perspectives on the planning and oversight of the company. Katie believes that building a strong team is the best way to ensure success for Sherpa’s clients and a positive work environment for employees.
Katie graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and worked primarily with Middle School and High School age students. After graduating, she found her love for business, especially startups, where she developed a knack for problem-solving in a business setting which has translated to her role at Sherpa Group.
In Katie’s free time you can find her woodworking and running back and forth from Home Depot for home improvement supplies. Katie is also an avid runner and cyclist.
Jolene has more than 20 years of experience in the wilderness programming and education fields. Parents have come to appreciate Jolene’s professional problem solving and communication skills, as well as her insight and compassion. She has mastered the art and skill of conducting a complex orchestra of details involved in helping young people along their paths to improvement.
Jolene is a born-and-raised Southern Idaho native. Growing up on her families’ cattle ranch, a love of the outdoors was fostered. When she is not managing the admissions process at Sherpa Group, she enjoys hiking, biking, running, and yoga. She is the mother of two young daughters that keep her active in sports and school related functions as well.
Michael is a born storyteller with a passion for creative media. With a background in Media Arts specializing in non-fiction film production, Michael brings a wealth of experience to his role as a Creative Media Coordinator at Sherpa Group.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Michael finds joy in adventure and wildlife photography, playing live music, and building his Dad-a-base of corny jokes. Amidst his many adventures, Michael's greatest joy lies in being a father to his son and daughter.
